Malaysian Diets

Malaysia, an island in southeastern Asia, is part of the Indonesian island chain and was a favorite destination of traders from many countries. Therefore, the traditional diet of Malaysia is a blended cuisine that reflects the foods of the native Malay people as well as of the Indian, Chinese, Thai and Javanese people who have settled there. A typical Malaysian meal tends to be spicy, and consists of up to six vegetable and meat dishes, accompanied by rice -- all put out on the table at the same time. Read on to learn more about the essential elements of a typical Malaysian meal. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Flavors

Coconut is a popular flavoring in Malaysian cooking.

Malaysian food is spicy and often sweet as well. Herbs such as lemongrass, pandam (screwpine) leaves and kaffir lime leaves are found in many dishes, as are the typical curry spices turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cumin, pepper and fenugreek. Onions and garlic, and the fresh chili paste known as sambal, often flavor main dishes. The Chinese influence can be tasted in the use of soy sauce and star anise, and that of India in the use not only of curry spice but of tamarind. Coconut and coconut milk are common flavorings too, and are found in everything from curries to drinks and desserts.

Rice and Starches

Rice is served at every Malaysian meal.

Rice is a staple of the Malaysian diet and is served at every meal of the day, including breakfast. It may also come in the form of ketopat, or rice dumplings, or as nasi goreng, fried rice mixed with bits of meat and vegetable. Other starches include roti jala, thin pancakes served with curries and other gravy or sauce based dishes, and rice or egg noodles.

Proteins

Shrimp, fish and cuttlefish are all popular in the Malaysian diet.

Fish, shrimp and cuttlefish, as well as other seafood, are the most popular protein sources in Malaysian diets. Sometimes chicken, beef or mutton are also served and eaten, but pork is not generally found on the table. This is because more than half the population of Malaysia is Muslim, and there are also many Hindus, neither of whom eat pork. Seafood and meat will be cooked in curries and other highly spiced dishes, or grilled on skewers as satay.

Fruit and Vegetables

Jicama is one of many vegetables eaten in the Malaysian diet.

A large variety of fruits and vegetables are served at the Malaysian table. Fruits such as durian, mango, star fruit, pineapple, coconut, banana, pomegranate and papaya are served alone or cut up in fruit salads to conclude a meal. Popular vegetables include long beans, jicama, spinach, mushrooms, mustard greens, flowering rape, scallions, sweet corn, yams and cabbage. Achat, or pickled vegetables, are often served as a side dish.

Beverages and Desserts

Fruit juices are popular drinks in Malaysia.

You will probably be served fresh fruit juice, coconut milk or hot or cold tea and coffee with your Malaysian meal. The coconut milk may even be served right out of the coconut shell. Desserts tend to be extremely sweet and feature coconut and fresh fruits, as well as palm sugar, flour and rice. Cendol, for example, are green noodles cooked in sugar syrup and coconut milk. Another dessert, ais kacang, features beans and jelly cubes with shaved ice, topped with colored syrup and condensed milk.